Apparatus for spreading tubular fabric



June 8, 1954 J. HAMILTON 2,680,279

APPARATUS FOR SPREADING TUBULAR FABRIC Filed on. 3 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 1June 8, 1954 HAMILTQN 2,680,279

APPARATUS FOR SPREADING TUBULAR FABRIC Filed Oct. 3, 19 50 5Sheets-Sheet 2 June 8, 1954 J. HAMILTON APPARATUS FOR SPREADING TUBULARFABRIC 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 5. 1950 QM m% w Q Q m,

June 8, 1954 J. HAMILTON APPARATUS FOR SPREADING TUBULAR FABRIC 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 3, 1950 June 8, 1954 HAMILTON 2,680,279

APPARATUS FOR SPREADING TUBULAR FABRIC Filed Oct. 3. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet5 A M A Patented June 8, 1954 APPARATUS FOR SPREADING TUBULAR FABRICJohn Hamilton, Oakford, Pa., assignor to Proctor & Schwartz, Inc.,Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 3,1950, Serial No. 188,239

22 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the expansion or spreading oftubular knitted fabric, and more particularly to a novel apparatus forsupporting different sized fabric expanders or spreaders and for movinfabric thereover.

As is well known to those familiar with the treatment of tubular knittedfabric, spreading of such fabric has long been practiced to open thefabric into flattened form for drying or for calendering. This hasrequired the use of spreaders of different widths since there arevarious sizes of tubular knitted fabrics commonly employed. Recentdevelopments have shown that excessive spreading or widthwise expansionis useful in the treatment of tubular knitted fabric to reduce oreliminate shrinkage. Moreover, it has been found that effectivetreatment for shrinkage reduction or elimination requires that thefabric be pushed, rather than pulled, over the spreading or expandindevice so as to avoid longitudinal tension on the fabric as far aspossible. It is, therefore, advantageous to employ an apparatus whichserves both to support the spreader and to move the fabric thereover,but this has presented a problem in view of the necessity of employingdifierent sized spreaders, especially because of the extended use ofspreading in the field of shrinkage elimination.

With the foregoing in mind, one object of the present invention is toprovide an apparatus which will accommodate a wide range of spreadersizes and may be adjusted to any particular spreader size, and which mayserve both to support the spreader and to push the fabric thereover. Byvirtue of its wide range of adjustment, the apparatus may be used with arelatively narrow spreader merely to open a tubular fabric intoflattened form, or it may be used with a relatively wide spreader forshrinkage elimination treatment.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus whichmay be used at will simply as a spreader support where it is desired topull the fabric over the spreader, as is sometimes desirable.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel mechanicalconstruction of the apparatus which is advantageous from the standpointof manufacture and assembly.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description.

In the accompanyingdrawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred form of the apparatusas used with a particular spreader;

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is also a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing more clearlythe manner in which the tubular fabric is moved over the spreadingdevice; I

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional View taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken along line 1-4 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is also a detail sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is another detail sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line Ill-I0 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one element or part of the apparatus;

Fig. l2 is a perspective view of the same part taken from the oppositeside;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of another part of the apparatus; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the spreader which is shown in Fig. 1in association with the apparatus.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5, the apparatus provided according to thepresent invention may be supported on spaced vertical standards I and 2.Each of these standards may comprise a pair of vertically disposedchannel members 3, 4 or 5, 6 arranged in spaced back-to-back relation asshown in Fig. 3 so as to accommodate clamping bolts and platesdesignated generally by reference numerals l and 8. An elongate casing9, which may be of circular cross-section, extends horizontally and isheld by brackets or plates I0 and l l secured to the standards I and 2and having portions l2 and I3 snugly embracing said casing. The casing 9has a longitudinal slot I4 (Fig. 1) at the front thereof for a purposewhich will appear presently. A shaft [5 (Fig. 3) extends longitudinallywithin casing Band is rotatably supported by means of bearings I6 and Elwithinthe end portions of the casing. At the ends of the shaft 15, thereare provided sprockets l8 and is which are secured to the shaft forrotation therewith.

A pair of similar slidable assemblies or units 20 and 2! are supportedby the casing 9 and are adapted to be adjustably positioned therealong,as hereinafter described. As may be seen in Fig. 3, each of theassemblies 20 and 21 comprises a 3 hollow block 22 slidably positionedwithin the casing 9 and rotatably supporting a sleeve 23 by means ofbearings '26 and 25. The shaft I is of non-circular cross-section, beingpreferably square in cross-section, and the bore of sleeve 23 is ofsimilar cross-section and is complemental to the shaft, so that thesleeve will slide along the shaft but is rotatable therewith. A mitergear 26 is fixed to or formed integrally with sleeve 23 and meshes witha similar gear 21 which is fixed to a rotatable shaft 23. The lattershaft is rotatably supported in a manner hereinafter described and itextends through the slot it. and

carries a flanged roller 39. Thus, the slidable assemblies 29 and 2! areprovided with rollers 30 and 30a which are driven by the shaft 15. Asmay be seen in Fig. 1, these assemblies also carry flanged idler rollers32 and 3 id. A more detailed description of the structure of eachassembly will be given later.

The above-mentioned rollers serve to support the spreader 32 (Figs. 1and i i) which, in the form shown, comprises a T-shaped support 33carrying rollers 3s and m at the ends of its transverse arms and alsocarrying a ring 35 at its lower end. The rollers 34 and 3 1m seat withinthe flanges of the supporting rollers, and the tubular fabric,represented at 36, passes between the spreader rollers and thesupporting rollers. The particular spreader shown also has supportingarms 31 and 31a. which carry small thin rollers 38 and 38a, the purposeof which is to prevent wrinkling of the fabric as it leaves thespreader. The said supporting arms are rigidified by tongues extendingtherefrom into grooves in the main rollers.

With the rollers 39 and 3nd driven as above described, the fabric ispropelled over the spreader, as may be seen more clearly from Fig. 5.The ring 35 merely serves to open the fabric as it approaches thespreader rolls.

Directly above the spreader position, there are provided rolls 39 andll; (Figs. 1 and 2) which serve to carry the fabric from the spreader,for example, to place the fabric on a conveyor t! as shown in Fig. 2.Roll 46 is rotatably supported on brackets secured to the verticalstandards I and '2, while roll 39 is rotatably carried by arms 42 and42a which are pivotally secured to brackets on the supporting standardsas shown at 43. The two arms have dash pots ts and Ma associated withthem to prevent rapid fall of the roll 39. By this arrangement, the roll39 may be moved in order that the fabric may be inserted between therolls. The two rolls are provided with ring gears 35 and 35 which meshwith one another. Roll 6Q also has a sprocket 37 at the opposite end ofits shaft which is connected through a chain 48 with the sprocket is onshaft 15. The shaft !5 is driven through its sprocket l8 which isconnected by a chain 38 to a speed reduction unit 56 which is chaindriven by an electric motor 5!. Thus, it will be seen that the shaft 15is power driven and it, in turn, rotates the rolls 39 and 46 through thechain 38.

Referring now to the structure of the assemblies or units 2%! and Bi,such structure is shown in Figs. 6 to 13. As may be seen in Figs. 6 and10, a supporting member 52 for shaft 28 extends through the longitudinalslot Hi of the casing 9 and is secured to the slidable block 22 by meansof screws 53 and 5d. The shaft 28 is rotatable in ball bearings 55 and55 which are disposed in recesses in the member 52. A hanger member 57(see Figs. 11 and 12) is supported by member 52 and is held in place bythe screws 53 and 54. The hanger member is apertured at 58 to fit overthe portion of member 52 external to the casing 9.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the hanger member 5'5 serves to support abracket 59 through the medium of screws 60 and 5!. The bracket 59extends beneath the casing 9 and carries a cup 52 within which issupported a movable pin 63. A helical spring 64 within said cup engagesa flange or collar 65 on said pin and urges the pin upwardly. The pinextends through an opening in the bracket 59 and is adapted to projectinto any one of a row of openings 55 (Fig. 10) provided along the bottomof the casing 8. The lower portion of the pin 63 projects through thebottom of cup 52 and is secured to a shell 61 which surrounds the cup.By pulling the shell 6? downward against the action of spring (5%, theupper end of pin 53 may be retracted from one of the apertures 56,thereby freeing the assembly for movement longitudinally of the casing9. Thus, the assembly may be moved to a desired position longitudinallyof the casing 9, with the pin 63 held in retracted position, and thenthe shell 6'5 may be released to permit the spring 64 to project the pininto one of the openings 56. Through the medium of the said pin, theassembly is latched or locked in any position to which it is adjusted.As hereinbefore explained, the purpose of the adjustment is to enablethe rollers 30 and 30a to be positioned so as to accommodate differentsized spreaders.

The hanger member El also serves to adjustably support a carrier 58(Fig. 6) for the roller 3!. The carrier 58 comprises spaced members 69and '50 (Fig. 13) having their lower portions Welded to a member H fromwhich extends an integral pin or spindle 12 (Fig. 9) on which the roller3! is freely rotatable. The upper ends of members 69 and m are slidablydisposed in recesses l3 and 14 (Figs. 11 and 12) of the hanger member51. A screw 15 (Fig. 6) and an associated sleeve 16 serve to hold theupper portions of members 69 and H1 in properly spaced relation, and thesaid screw and sleeve extend through a slot 1? of the hanger member 51to permit guided vertical movement of the carrier 68.

As may be seen in Fig. 6, member H has an opening or passagetherethrough to accommodate a rotatable threaded stem 13, to the lowerend of which is pinned a knob I9 having surface serrations to facilitateturning of the same. The stem 18 is held against axial movement relativeto the carrier 68 by the knob 19 and by a split ring 8| which seats inan annular recess of said stem. The upper portion of stem 18 threadedlyengages the hanger member 51 which is stationary. It will be seen,therefore, that r0- tation of stem '18 through the medium of knob i9will cause the carrier 68 to move vertically in a direction dependent onthe direction of rotation of the knob, within the range established bythe slot 11 of hanger member 57. In the illustration of Fig. 6, thecarrier 68 is in its lowermost position, the screw 15 and its associatedsleeve l6 being disposed at the bottom of slot ll. Thus, it will be seenthat the roller 3! may be adjusted vertically in relation to roller 30to accommodate different spreaders.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the rollers 30 and 3% (Fig. 1) are adapted tobe power driven to propel the tubular fabric over the spreader, theidler rollers 3| and 3la merely serving cooperatively with rollers 38and 30a to support the spreader. However, it may be desired at times topull the tubular fabric over the spreader, and therefore provision ismade in the apparatus of the present invention to permit decoupling ofthe'rollers 30 and 38a from their respective shafts so as to permitthese rollers to rotate freely as idler rollers. Referring to Figs. 6and 7, adjacent the bearing 58, there is provided a ring or collar 82which is keyed to shaft 28 and which is provided with a pair ofapertures 83 and 84. Roller 30 is freely disposed on the shaft 28 andhasa pair of apertures 85 and 88 to accommodate pins 81 and 88 whoseforward ends are adapted to seat in the recesses 83 and 84 was to coupleroller 38 to the collar or ring 82. The pins 81 and 88 are secured attheir opposite ends to a member 89 slidably carried on the end of shaft28. A knob member 98 is carried by member 89 but the latter is permittedto move relative to the knob member by the provision of a ball bearing9|.

As may be seen in Fig. 7, roller 30 is also provided with passages 92and 93 which communicate with the passages 85 and 85, and whichaccommodate ball detents 94, 95 and associated springs 96, 91. The balldetents cooperate with flanges 98 and 99 on the pins 81 and 88 to lockthe latter into or out of engagement with the collar or ring 82. In Fig.6, the pins 81 and 88 are shown in the position in which they areengaged with the collar orring 82, the roller 88 being coupled to shaft28 through said ring. Whenever it is desired to decouple the roller Y 38from the shaft 28, the operator grasps the knob 98 and pulls it outward,thereby moving pins 81 and 88 out of engaging relation with the collaror ring 82. During the outward movement of the pins 81 and 88, theflanges 98 and 95 deflect the ball detents 94v and 95, and the latterthen become effective to hold the pins in their retracted position. Itshould be noted that this pin-removing operation is readily performedeven though the pins and associated parts are rotating at the time ofpin withdrawal, as the knob 98 remains stationary due to the provisionof ball bearing 9|. When it is desired to restore the coupling betweenroller 38 and shaft 28, the operator has only to press the knob 98inwardly to restore the parts to the positions shown in Fig. 6.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the inventionprovides a novel apparatus which accommodates different sized spreadersand which may be utilized in the different manners described. While apreferred form of the apparatus has been illustrated and described forthe purpose of disclosure, the invention is not limited thereto but iscapable of various embodiments or modifications.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, an elongate casing having alongitudinal slot therein, a shaft extending longitudinally of said saidcasing and rotatably supported therein, a pair of slidable assembliessupported by said casing, each of said assemblies including a gearslidable on said shaft and rotatable therewith, a shaft extendingthroughsaid slot and carrying a gear meshing with said first gear, aroller arranged to be driven by said lastmentioned shaft, and means forlocking the assembly in' any one of a number of different positionsalong said casing.

2. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, an elongate casing having alongitudinal slot therein, a shaft of non-circular cross-sectionextending longitudinally of said casing and rotatably supported therein,a pair of slidable assemblies supported by said casing, each of saidassemblies including a sleeve complemental to said shaft and slidabletherealong, a gear carried by said sleeve, a shaft extending throughsaid slot and carrying a gear meshing with said first gear, a rollerarranged to be driven by said last-mentioned shaft, and means forlocking the assembly in any one of a number of different positions alongsaid casing.

3. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, an elongate casing having alongitudinal slot therein and also having longitudinally-spacedopenings, a shaft extending longitudinally of said casing and rotatablysupported therein, a pair of slidable assemblies supported by saidcasing, each of said assemblies including a gear slidable on said shaftand rotatable therewith, a shaft extending through said slot and carry agear meshing with said first gear, a roller arranged to be driven bysaid lastmentioned shaft, and latch means on the assembly engageablewith said openings to lock the assembly in any one of a number ofdifferent positions along said casing.

4. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, an elongate casing having alongitudinal slot therein, a shaft extending longitudinally of saidcasing and rotatably supported therein, a pair of slidable assembliessupported by said casing, each of said assemblies including a gearslidable on said shaft and rotatable therewith, a shaft extending.through said slot and carrying a gear meshing with said first gear, aroller rotatably carried by said lastmentioned shaft, and means forcoupling or uncoupling said roller with respect to its shaft.

5. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, an elongate casing having alongitudinal slot therein, a shaft extending longitudinally of saidcasing and rotatably supported therein, a pair of slidable assembliessupported by said casing, each of said assemblies including a gearslidable on said shaft and rotatable therewith, a shaftextending throughsaid slot and carrying a gear meshing with said first gear, a rollerrotatably carried by said lastmentioned shaft, means for coupling oruncoupling said roller with respect to its shaft, and means for lockingthe assembly in any one of a number of different positions along saidcasing.

6. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, an elongate casing having alongitudinal slot therein, a shaft extending longitudinally of saidcasing and rotatably supported therein, a pair of slidable assembliessupported by said casing, each of said assemblies including a gearslidable on said shaft and rotatable therewith, a shaft extendingthrough said slot and carrying a gear meshing with said first gear, aroller arranged to be driven by said last-mentioned shaft, an idlerroller in spaced relation to said first-recited roller and cooperativetherewith to support a fabric spreader, and means for locking theassembly in any one of a number of different positions along saidcasing.

7. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, an elongate casing having alongitudinal slot therein, a shaft of non-circular cross-sectionextending longitudinally of said casing and rotatably supported therein,a pair of slidable assemblies including a sleeve complemental to saidshaft and slidable therealong, a gear carried by said sleeve, a shaftextending through said slot and carrying a gear meshing with said firstgear, a roller arranged to be driven by said last-mentioned shaft, anadjustable idler roller in spaced reiation to said first-recited rollerand cooperative therewith to support a fabric spreader, and means forlocking the assembly in any one of a number of different positions alongsaid casing.

8. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, a pair of spaced verticalstandards, a horizontal elongate casing supported by said standards,said casing having a longitudinal slot therein, a shaft extendinglongitudinally of said casing and rotatably supported therein, a pair ofslidable assemblies supported by said casing, each of said assembliesincluding a gear slidable on said shaft and rotatable therewith, a shaftextending through said slot and carrying a gear meshing with said firstgear,

a roller arranged to be driven by said lastmentioned shaft, and meansfor locking the assembly in any one of a number of different positionsalong said casing.

9. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric eXpa-nders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, a pair of spaced verticalstandards, a horizontal elongate casing supported by said standards,said casing having a longi tudinal slot therein, a shaft of non-circularcrosssection extending longitudinally of said casing and rotatablysupported therein, a pair of slidable assemblies supported by saidcasing, each of said assemblies including a sleeve complemental to saidshaft and slidable therealong, a gear carried by said sleeve, a shaftextending through sald slot and carrying a gear meshing with said firstgear, a roller arranged to be driven by said last-mentioned shaft, andmeans for locking the assembly in any one of a number of differentpositions along said casing.

10. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, a horizontal shaft, means fordriving said shaft, a pair of horizontal shafts substantially at rightangles to said first shaft,

means providing a driving coupling between said first shaft and each ofthe last-recited shafts, a roller permanently carried by each of thelastrecited shafts, and means for coupling or uncoupling each rollerwith respect to its associated shaft.

11. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orSpreaders and for moving fabric thereover, a horizontal shaft, means fordriving said shaft, a pair of horizontal shafts substantially at rightangles to said first shaft, means supporting each of the last-recitedshafts for adjustment lengthwise of said first shaft, means providing adriving coupling between said first shaft and each of the last-recitedshafts for any adjustment of the latter, a roller permanently carried byeach of the last-recited shafts, and means for coupling or uncouplingeach roller with respect to its associated shaft.

12. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, a horizontal shaft, means fordriving said shaft, a pair of horizontal shafts substantially at rightangles to said first shaft, means supporting each of the last-recitedshafts for adjustment to different discrete positions lengthwise of saidfirst shaft, means providing a driving coupling between said first shaftand each of the last-recited shafts for any adjustment of the latter, aroller permanently carried by each of the last-recited shafts, and meansfor coupling or uncoupling each roller with respect to associated shaft.

13. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric eXpa-nders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, a horizontal elongate casinghaving a longitudinal slot therein, a shaft extending longitudinally ofsaid casing and rotatabl, supported therein, a pair of slidableassemblies supported by said casing, each of said assemblies including amember slidable in said casing, a gear carried by said member androtatable with said shaft, support means external to said casing andsecured to said member through said slot, a shaft extending through saidslot and rotatably supported by said support means, a gear on saidlast-recited shaft in mesh with said first gear, a roller carried bysaid support means to be driven by said last-recited shaft, and meansfor locking said support means to said casing in any one of a number ofdifferent positions.

14. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereoverja horizontal elongate casinghaving a longitudinal slot therein and also having longitudinally-spacedopenings, a'shaft extending longitudinally of said casing and rotatablysupported therein, a pair of slidable assemblies supported by saidcasing, each of said assemblies including a member slidable in saidcasing, a gear carried by said member and rotatable with said shaft,support means external to said casing and secured to said member throughsaid slot, a shaft extending through said slot and rotatably supportedby said support means, a gear on said last-recited shaft in mesh withsaid first gear, a roller carried by said support means to be driven bysaid last-recited shaft, and iatch means on said support meansengageable with said openings to lock said support means to said casingin any one of a number of different positions.

15. In an apparatus for supporting different sized fabric expanders orspreaders and for moving fabric thereover, a horizontal elongate casinghaving a longitudinal slot therein, a shaft extending longitudinally ofsaid casing and rotatably supported therein, a pair of slidableassemblies supported by said casing, each of said assemblies including amember slidable in said casing, a gear carried by said member androtatable with said shaft, support means external to said casing andsecured to said member through said slot, a shaft extending through saidslot and rotatably supported by said support means, a gear on saidlast-recited shaft in mesh with said first gear, a roller carried bysaid support means to be driven by said last-recited shaft, an idlerroller adjustably carried by said support means in spaced relation tosaid firstrecited roller and cooperative therewith to support a fabricspreader, and means for locking vsaid support means to said casing inany one of a number of different positions.

ing fabric thereover, a horizontal elongate casing having a longitudinalslo-t therein, a shaft extending longitudinally of said casing androtatably supported therein, a pair of slidable assemblies supported bysaid casing, each of said assemblies including a member slidable in saidcasing, a gear carried by said member and rotatable with said shaft,support means external to said casing and secured to said member throughsaid slot, a shaft extending through said slot and rotatably supportedby said support means, a gear on said last-recited shaft in mesh withsaid first gear, a roller carried by said support means to be driven bysaid last-recited shaft, means for coupling or uncoupling said rollerwith respect to said last-recited. shaft, and means for locking saidsupport means to said casing in any one ofa number of differentpositions.

17. In an apparatus for supporting a fabric expander or spreader and formoving fabric thereover, a power-driven shaft, a pair of shaftsextending substantially at right angles to said first shaft, meansproviding a driving coupling between said first shaft and each of thelastrecited shafts, a roller permanently carried by each of thelast-recited shafts, means for coupling or uncoupling each said rollerwith respect to its associated shaft, and an idler roller supported inspaced relation to each of the firstmentioned rollers and. cooperativetherewith to support a fabric spreader.

18. In an apparatus for supporting a fabric expander or spreader and formoving fabric thereover, an elongate casing, a shaft extendinglongitudinally of said casing and rotatably supported therein, means fordriving said shaft, a pair of spaced assemblies supported by saidcasing, each of said assemblies including a shaft extending through thewall of said casing and drivably coupled to said first shaft to bedriven thereby, and a roller on each of the driven shafts outside saidcasing.

19. In an apparatus for supporting a fabric expander or spreader and formoving fabric thereover, an elongate casing, a shaft extendinglongitudinally of said casing and rotatably supported therein, means fordriving said shaft, a pair of spaced assemblies supported by saidcasing, each of said assemblies including a shaft extending through thewall of said casing and drivably coupled to said first shaft to bedriven thereby, a roller on each of the driven shafts outside saidcasing, and an idler roller supported in spaced relation to each of thefirst-mentioned rollers and cooperative therewith to support a fabricspreader.

20. In an apparatus for supporting a fabric 10 expander or spreader andfor moving fabric thereover, an elongate casing, a shaft extendinglongitudinally of said casing and rotatably supported therein, means fordriving said shaft, a pair of spaced assemblies supported by saidcasing, each of said assemblies including support means extending fromwithin said casing externally thereof, a shaft supported by said supportmeans and drivably coupled to said first shaft to be driven thereby, anda roller on each of the driven shafts outside said casing.

21. In an apparatus for supporting a fabric expander or spreader and formoving fabric thereover, an elongate casing, a shaft extendinglongitudinally of said casing and rotatably supported therein, means fordriving said shaft, a pair of spaced assemblies supported by saidcasing, each of said assemblies including support means extending fromWithin said casing externally thereof, a shaft supported by said supportmeans and drivably coupled to said first shaft to be driven thereby, aroller on each of the driven shafts outside said casing, and an idlerroller supported by each said support means in spaced relation to eachof the first-mentioned rollers and cooperative therewith to support afabric spreader.

22. In an apparatus for supporting a fabric expander or spreader and formoving fabric thereover, an elongate casing, a shaft extendinglongitudinally of said casing and rotatably supported therein, means fordriving said shaft, a pair of spaced assemblies supported by saidcasing, each of said assemblies including support means extending fromwithin said casing externally thereof, a shaft supported by said supportmeans and drivably coupled to said first shaft to be driven thereby, aroller on each of the driven shafts outside said casing, a hanger membersupported by each said support means, and an idler roller supported byeach said hanger member in spaced relation to each of thefirst-mentioned rollers and cooperative therewith to support a fabricspreader.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,130,118 Cohn Sept. 13, 1938 2,190,860 Cohn Feb. 20, 19402,294,642 Wedler Sept. 1, 1942 2,467,281 Walter et a1. Apr. 12, 19492,589,344 Cohn et a1. Mar. 18, 1952 2,597,530 Redman May 20, 1952FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 15,957 Great Britain of 1908

